Southern Explorer
15 Day Guided Tour – 3-4V
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
•New York •Philadelphia •Washington D.C. •Appalachian Mountains • Nashville •Memphis • New Orleans
•Orlando • Miami•
ITINERARY
Day 1: UK– New York
Fly with from the UK to New York. Arrive at any New York Airport (JFK or EWR) where you will be met by an ATI representative and
transferred by Supershuttle to the Manhattan NYC – an Affinia Hotel or similar. Once you’re all checked-in and settled, the rest of the
day is at leisure.
Accommodation stay – 1 Night at the Manhattan NYC – an Affinia Hotel or similar.
Day 2: New York – Philadelphia – Washington, D.C. (Approximately 258 miles)
Today we transfer from New York to Washington, D.C. via Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation, where you will stop to see
Independence Mall and Liberty Bell. Accommodation stay – 2 Nights at the Washington Hilton or similar.
Day 3: Washington, D.C.
Enjoy a city tour with such highlights as the U.S. Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the F.B.I. Building, Washington
Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington National Cemetery, site of the JFK Memorial. Spend the remainder of the
day exploring some of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institute or stroll the banks of the Potomac River.
Day 4: Washington, D.C. – Williamsburg – Roanoke (Approximately 405 miles)
Depart this morning for Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. Walk along the Duke of Gloucester Street to visit some of the impressive
public buildings, colonial houses and the College of William and Mary* (admissions not included). Accommodation stay – 1 Night at the
Holiday Inn Tanglewood or similar.
Day 5: Roanoke – Blue Ridge Parkway – Cherokee/ Asheville (Approximately 260 miles)
Travel along portions of Blue Ridge Parkway before an afternoon arrival in Asheville, nicknamed the “Land of the Sky”.
Accommodation stay – 1 Night at the Quality Inn Biltmore or similar.
Day 6: Cherokee/Asheville – Great Smoky Mountains – Nashville (Approximately 310 miles)
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stop at the Mountain Farm and Museum to explore
the life of an Appalachian farmer. Continue through Knoxville to Nashville, capital of Tennessee and home to country music. Bring your
boots and join your fellow travellers at the Wild Horse Salon, where you can kick up your heels and give line dancing* ago (optional).
Accommodation stay – 1 Night at the Clarion Nashville Downtown or similar.
Day 7: Nashville – Memphis (Approximately 241 miles)
Travel across the countryside and arrive in Memphis, the city known for blues music, cotton and home of Sun Records. Take a city tour
including Beale Street, the heart of the blues music scene. This afternoon, fans of “The King of Rock and Roll” have the opportunity to
tour Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley* (optional). Accommodation stay – 1 Night at the Sleep Inn at Court Square or similar.
Day 8: Memphis – Jackson – New Orleans (Approximately 455 miles)
Today’s tour takes you to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. Pass through Jackson, the state capital, and continue to Louisiana and New
Orleans, the home of the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations. Tonight, immerse yourself in Creole culture on board an authentic
Mississippi Riverboat dinner cruise and enjoy the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band* (optional). Accommodation stay – 2 Nights at the
Sheraton New Orleans or similar.
Day 9: New Orleans
A full day at leisure to take in the French flavor and grandeur of New Orleans. Explore the French Quarter with its trademark wrought
iron balconies overlooking the narrow cobblestone streets. Stand atop one of the infamous New Orleans levees and gain the perspective
of how these unique feats of architecture guard the city.
Day 10: New Orleans – Gulf of Mexico – Pensacola (Approximately 232 miles)
Travel along the Mississippi Gulf Coast through Mobile, AL to the city of Pensacola. Visit one of the top 10 rose gardens in America at the
Bellingrath Home* (admission included). While visiting Pensacola Beach, walk alongside the swaying sea oats, dipping your toes in the
warm waters of the emerald green Gulf of Mexico. Accommodation stay – 1 Nights at the Hampton Inn Cordova Mall or similar.
Day 11: Pensacola – Orlando (Approximately 518 miles)
Travel along the Florida panhandle to Ocala, known for thoroughbred horse ranches. Continue through central Florida, heart of
America’s citrus industry, and on to Orlando for an evening arrival at your hotel. Accommodation stay – 2 Nights at the Oak Plantation
Resort or similar.
Day 12: Orlando
Day at leisure. Revitalize by the pool, take a hot air balloon flight or visit one of Orlando’s attractions, such as Disney World*, Sea World*,
or Universal Studios* (admissions not included).
Day 13: Orlando – Kennedy Space Center – Miami (Approximately 318 miles)
Visit Kennedy Space Center, home of America’s space program (admission included). Continue to the cultural melting pot of Miami
Beach. Your tour ends upon arrival in Miami at approximately 1800 hours where you will dropped off at the Deauville Miami. The rest of
the evening is at leisure for you to dine in the Miami Beach area. Accommodation stay – 1 Nights at the Deauville Miami or similar.
Days 14-15: Miami – UK
The morning is free for you to explore Miami before Supershuttle transfer you to Miami International Airport for your overnight flight
home back to the UK. Arrive in the UK on day 15.
Exclusive to Virgin Holidays:
ü Complimentary Virgin Holidays
tour kit
ü Graceland Tour
Meals: This tour is based on a Room only basis
*Denotes local charge – Optional trips and excursions listed on the itinerary are bookable and payable locally.
This is a set tour itinerary, if you have booked any pre/post or optional tour arrangements please refer to your separate vouchers
and final documents.
Locally Booked Optional Excursions
Prices are listed in US Dollars and are approximate and subject to change. These are only given as a guide to assist you in budgeting for
your holiday. Please refer to Locally Booked Optional Excursions on the General Information Notes for further information.
Nashville evening at the wild Horse Saloon- Adult $61 & Child $61
Join your fellow travellers on this must do excursion. Enjoy country music as only known in Nashville. Your evening starts with a dinner at
Wild Horse Saloon followed by entertainment. If possible, hit the dance floor for typical line dancing with your entire group. A nice
evening to say goodbye to our Nashville visit.
Graceland Platinum Tour – Adult $39 & Child $20
Visit Graceland and experience the personal lifestyle of the legendary performer Elvis Presley with a detailed tour of his home, the
number one attraction in Memphis. Take a peek in the King’s airplanes, the “Lisa Marie” and the “Hound dog II” to learn more about the
extravagant lifestyle of Memphis’ favourite son. You’ll be able to see Elvis/ dazzling costumes, stunning jewellery and numerous awards
in the Hall of Gold, which contains the largest privately owned collection of gold in the world.
New Orleans Dinner Cruise – Adult $72 & Child $36
Step aboard an authentic Mississippi River Boat for a cruise on the mighty Mississippi and immerse yourself in the traditional pleasures
of New Orleans. Sample the delicious Creole buffet of soup and salad, a choice of entrees, vegetables, French bread, dessert and coffee
or tea. After dinner, take the opportunity to dance to the rhythms of a Dixieland jazz band.
New Orleans by Day (with Plantation) - Adult $71 & Child $51
Begin the morning by travelling the historic river road just outside of New Orleans and visiting one of its most famous plantation homes.
Located on the Mississippi river, Oak Alley Plantation has been called the “Grande Dame of the Great River Road” . Nowhere else in the
south will you find such a spectacular setting! The quarter mile canopy of giant live oak trees, believed to be nearly 300 years old, forms
an impressive avenue leading to the classic Greek revival style antebellum home. End the morning with a delicious brunch in the heart of
the French Quarter. Experience the true New Orleans tradition of good food & jazz music in the romantic courtyard setting of the “Court
of Two Sisters”.
Arabian Nights- Adult $61 & Child $41
Enjoy an evening of enchantment and adventure. Experience a storybook tale of romance and intrigue amidst the splendour of the
Palace of Horses. More than 60 of the world’s most beautiful and graceful horses combine with all the majesty and grandeur of a
Broadway production to create the most unique and wonderful show in the entire world. Dine on a sumptuous prime rib banquet
prepared for the Sultan himself. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime.
Sea World Orlando- Adult $91 & Child $83
Enjoy the day at one of Orlando’s most visited theme park SeaWorld. Join other guests for this once in a lifetime experience. Dolphin,
Otter, Killer whale shows, among others will dazzle you all day long. The ATI price does not include your transportation to and from the
park.
Universal Studios Florida- Adult $96 & Child $90
Ride the movies! Over 400 acres of rides, shows and attractions that brings the world’s most action packed movies to life! Your ATI price
does not include transportation to and from the park.
Miami City Tour and Everglades- Adult $81 & Child $71
Ride with us to the Everglades and see amazing creatures in their natural environment in this vast subtropical wilderness such as exotic
birds, snakes, fish and turtles. Enjoy an alligator show with an opportunity to hold a small alligator. A thrilling air boat ride tops off this
segment of the tour along the river of grass. Your next tour experience then continues with the Miami city tour. Let us show you why
Miami is called the magic city. This tour hits all the major spots: Bayside Marketplace, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, the Art Deco District
and so much more. Come see all the magic, the vice and what makes Miami so nice.
TOUR NOTES
For current departure dates and prices please check our website
Pre/Post Tour information
If you would like to extend your trip or make the tour part of a
longer holiday, we can easily add on a pre or post night stays for
you. Our Sales Team will work with you to arrange the best
connecting flights and book any additional hotel stays. Simply tell
us what you’d like and we can arrange it.
Time difference GMT -5 hours New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Orlando
& Miami
GMT -6 hours Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans
Tour inclusions
■International flight in economy class, including all UK and
overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges
■Private air conditioned motorcoach transportation throughout ■Accommodation and sightseeing as listed above ■Service of an English Speaking guide.
Tour exclusions
■Flight upgrades and airport transfers in the UK
■ Insurance ■ Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, tips &
gratuities, video camera fees at monuments
■ The required ESTA application
■ Anything not detailed on the itinerary. Dining inclusions
Room Only
Included activities
Tours listed in the itinerary. Accommodation
Accommodation listed on the itinerary is a mix of 3-4V graded
properties. Please note some tours are up to 3 weeks in duration
and there may be some nights when staying in remote locations
e.g. the National Parks, when the ‘V’ rating may vary. Hotels are
subject to change up until 30 days prior to departure, but you will
be advised of any changes.
Journey times
Please note due to long distances covered on some of the tours,
there will be some days when the majority of the day will be spent
on the coach, so just sit back and enjoy the view.
Group size
Minimum 20 passengers, maximum approximately 50 passengers
(full coach).
Language
This tour will operate as English guaranteed however if a
minimum of 20 English guests is not reached the tour will operate
as Multilingual (English and Dutch will be spoken).
Visa requirements
It's mandatory for everyone travelling to or transferring through
the US, under the Visa Waiver Program, to obtain approval to
travel no later than 72 hours prior to travel by completing an
online process ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization
(ESTA) scheme. Failure to obtain an ESTA could result in the passenger being
denied boarding by the airline.
The cost of an ESTA is currently approx $14 per person and can be
obtained by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once completed &
approved, the ESTA application is valid for two years and allows
multiple visits without the need to reapply – simply update your
details on the same website. Travelers can apply for an ESTA even
if they have no firm plans to travel to the US.
If you need any further information on the ESTA or you have any
other visa queries, then try the Visit USA Website
atwww.visitusa.org.uk where further information on the scheme
and up to date fee can also be found.
The ESTA is very similar to the automated visa that you purchase
to enter Australia and is completely paperless
Currency
The official unit of currency in the US is the US dollar. Optional
excursions will need to be paid locally by cash to the tour guide.
Major credit cards and debit cards will be accepted within the US.
Electricity
If you bring any electrical appliance to the USA, you may need an
adaptor to fit the US electrical receptacles. You may also need a
converter to change the voltage from 110 volts to 220 volts.
Tipping
Tipping is a big part of the USA’s service economy and their
taxation system, all visitors should understand that this is a part
of the local culture; please see below a list of useful suggestions
for tipping:
■ Waiters/Waitresses: 15% - 20% for average - good service,
more for exceptional service.
■ Bartenders: $1 - $2 a round -or- 15% to 20% of the tab, with a
minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink.
■ Room Service: 15% - 20%
■ Taxi driver: Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be
enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags.
■ Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person
for hailing a cab.
■ Tour guide: $5 per person, per day in your party.
What to pack
■Lightweight, cotton clothes. Smart casual is acceptable in hotels ■A light sweater or fleece for early mornings and evenings and
air-conditioning can be cool in restaurants ■Comfortable, enclosed and sturdy footwear
■Casual clothing and sandals for dinner and relaxing at your
hotel ■Sun cream, sunglasses and hat ■Camera and/or video camera with spare batteries and memory
cards ■Swimwear for an occasional swim
■Binoculars ■Mosquito repellent and spray ■Handy wipes antiseptic hand gel and bottled water where
possible
■Low denominations of USD– handy for ad-hoc tipping. What to expect
We recommend you are of a reasonable fitness as touring often
involves long walks and uneven surfaces; this tour is not suitable
for those who require special assistance.
Recommended vaccinations We advise you to discuss your individual requirements for the USA
with your GP at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel.